Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 4/8/2002
Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of April 8, 2002
- Mohammed VI Arabic language academy to be set up
The government council, convened Thursday in Rabat under the chairmanship of Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, adopted a draft related to the creation of the Mohammed VI Arabic Language Academy. Morocco, Culture, 4/13/2002 - Moroccan ngos hand UN chiefs dossier on ordeal of persons sequestered in Tindouf
Activists of several Moroccan ngos handed on Friday to the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and to the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Mary Robinson, a dossier describing in detail the ordeal of the populations sequestered in the Polisario-controlled camps in Tindouf, south-western Algeria. Morocco, Politics, 4/13/2002 - Government briefed on developments in Morocco-Spain ties
Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, briefed the cabinet council weekly meeting on latest developments of Moroccan-Spanish relations in light of recent contacts between the two countries' officials. Morocco-Spain, Politics, 4/13/2002 - Moroccan-Dutch businessmen call to up bilateral cooperation
The two parties discussed cooperation and partnership perspectives in the fields of agriculture, processing industries, maritime transport, information technologies, banking and finance. Morocco-Netherlands, Economics, 4/13/2002 - King Mohammed dedicates dam near Agadir
Morocco's King Mohammed VI on Friday dedicated a dam in the commune of Tamri, near the Moroccan southern Atlantic city of Agadir. Morocco, Economics, 4/13/2002 - US delegation visits Fez
An American delegation, headed by assistant to the US trade representative in charge of Europe and the Mediterranean, Ms. Catherine Novelli, visited Thursday the Moroccan city of Fez, and met economic operators, academics and civil society representatives. Morocco-USA, Economics, 4/13/2002 - Belgium's Moroccan-born elected representatives decry statements of Israeli ambassador
Several Moroccan-born Belgian elected representatives and delegates of NGOs have decried recent statements by Israeli ambassador in Brussels, Chaul Amor, wherein he accused the Belgian government of adopting what he called a pro-Palestine policy to please Moroccan electorate. Morocco-Belgium, Politics, 4/13/2002 - Moroccan-Greek talks in Rabat Morocco-Greece, Politics, 4/12/2002
- Former Polisario military executive returns to homeland, Morocco Morocco, Politics, 4/12/2002
- Moroccan renowned singer sings for Palestine Morocco-Palestine, Culture, 4/12/2002
- Malaysian premier in Morocco monday Morocco-Malaysia, Politics, 4/12/2002
- Golf: some 150 professional golfers in morocco's palpina-bcm classic Morocco, Sports, 4/12/2002
- Morocco calls UN human rights high commissioner to protect Palestinian children
Morocco's Princess Lalla Meriem, Chairwoman of the Moroccan Observatory of Child's Rights, has called the UN Human Rights High Commissioner, Mary Robinson, to take urgent moves to protect Palestinian Children and bring to a halt the crimes committed by the Israeli army against these children. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/12/2002 - Washington determined to develop partnership with Morocco, US official
The United States is determined to develop a mutually advantageous partnership with Morocco, said Wednesday Ms. Catherine Novelli, assistant to the US trade Secretary in charge of Europe and the Mediterranean. Morocco-USA, Economics, 4/12/2002 - Moroccan ngos confer with UN executives on situation of people sequestered in Tindouf
The camps survivors showed the UN executives the scars of torture their bodies still bear. The UN special rapporteur on torture, Theo Van Boven, told them he "officially" took note of their request to set in motion the relevant UN mechanisms to shed light on the torture and human rights violations practiced by the Polisario Morocco, Politics, 4/12/2002 - Moroccan-Indian trade exchanges probed
Means to enhance trade between Morocco and India were probed at a meeting Tuesday in Casablanca with Moroccan and Indian officials attending. Morocco-India, Economics, 4/12/2002 - Morocco's customs administration to accept clearance by credit card
The administration of customs and direct taxes (ADII) will henceforth accept clearance by credit card. Morocco, Local, 4/12/2002 - Declaration on protection, promotion of loukkos marshlands signed
Several Moroccan associations, the CICONIA Foundation (Liechtenstein) and the SPANA Association (Great Britain) have pledged under a cooperation declaration to join efforts to protect the marshlands of the Loukkos river that runs from the Rif Mountains and flows into the Atlantic near Larache, northern Morocco. Morocco, Environment, 4/12/2002 - World Bank grant Momorocco two loans worth nearly $ 100 million
The world bank has extended Morocco two loans worth US$ 97.6 million. Morocco, Economics, 4/12/2002 - Tennis: Morocco plays Switzerland in Davis cup play off
Morocco will play Switzerland in a Davis Cup play off next September. Morocco, Sports, 4/12/2002 - European Union should reconsider policy towards Morocco, Dutch minister
Dutch minister of foreign trade, Gerrit Ybema, said Thursday the European Union should reconsider its policy towards Morocco, in view of the kingdom's economic and political progress. Morocco-Netherlands, Politics, 4/11/2002 - Yugoslav business delegation to visit Morocco Morocco-Yugoslavia, Economics, 4/11/2002
- Casablanca, Kuala Lumpur set up exchange program
Local authorities of the Moroccan economic capital city of Casablanca and the town council of Kuala Lumpur agreed last week on an exchange program to foster cooperation between the two cities. Morocco, Local, 4/11/2002 - Morocco calls UN security council to compel Israel to evacuate Palestinian territories
Morocco's delegate to the United Nations Organization, Mohamed Bennouna, Tuesday called the Security council to use all available legal means to compel Israel to withdraw from the Palestinian territories it has invaded and to abide by U.N resolutions. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/10/2002 - Moroccan businessman donates $500,000 to Palestinian people
A Moroccan businessman, who asked not be identified, donated Tuesday $500,000 to the Palestinian people. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/10/2002 - President Bush looks forward to meeting King Mohamed
The White House says Tuesday US President, George W. Bush, is looking forward to meeting King Mohammed VI, who will start on April 23 a work visit to the USA. Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/10/2002 - Moroccan ngo's call Annan to endeavor for end of tragedy of elderly people sequestered
The letter further warns of the deteriorating health and the plight of these persons and invite the UN Secretary General and the international community to take urgent measures to protect these elderly people and guarantee their right to return to their homeland. Morocco, Politics, 4/10/2002 - Moroccan-Dutch businessmen probe investment opportunities
Dutch businessmen currently visiting Morocco, part of a commercial mission this April 7-12, led by foreign trade minister, Gerrit Ybema, held a series of meetings with Moroccan peers to probe possibilities of partnership. Morocco-Netherlands, Economics, 4/10/2002 - Foreign trade secretary calls businessmen to foster Moroccan-Brazilian partnership
Moroccan secretary of state for foreign trade, Abdelkrim Benatik, called Monday Moroccan and Brazilian businessmen to carry out partnership projects in order to foster bilateral cooperation and take advantage of the two countries' geographic location and trade liberalization. Morocco-Brazil, Economics, 4/10/2002 - European union calls Algeria to release Moroccan prisoners
The European Union calls Algeria to immediately release all prisoners of war and urges all parties concerned to back international efforts made in this connection Morocco-European Union, Politics, 4/9/2002 - King Mohammed on work visit to USA as of April 21
Morocco's King Mohammed VI will pay a work visit to the USA as of Sunday, April 21, the ministry of the Royal Household, Protocol and Chancellery announced in a release. Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/9/2002 - King Mohammed to Powell, why not visit Jerusalem first
The US secretary of state Colin Powell on Monday said that "Israel has to pull out from the West Bank now," warning that its operations are creating grave and major problems, while the Moroccan King wished Powell " Good Luck" in his mission considering his mission to put an end to the escalation in the Middle East will be difficult. Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/9/2002 - King Mohammed appoints new general manager of phosphates company Morocco, Business, 4/9/2002
- Moroccan-German Cultural Joint Commission Meets in Rabat Morocco-Germany, Culture, 4/9/2002
- King Mohammed holds phone talks with president Arafat
Morocco's King Mohammed VI held Monday phone talks with Palestinian president, Yasser Arafat, to inquire about the latest developments the Palestinian people is going through. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/9/2002 - Moroccan environment network denounces Israel's destruction of Palestinian environment
The network deplores that during the first year of the 2nd Intifadah, 13 million of square meters of Palestinian farming land were destroyed and 385,808 tress uprooted. Palestine-Morocco, Politics, 4/9/2002 - Stability makes Morocco an investments hub, Korean official
The political and economic stability Morocco enjoys makes of it a hub of investments in North Africa, said Tuesday Samuel Lee, Director-General of the Korean Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). Morocco-South Korea, Economics, 4/9/2002 - Egypt's tourism minister calls for stronger tourism cooperation with morocco
Egyptian minister of tourism, Mahmoud Al-Baltaji, called Monday in Cairo, Moroccan tourism professionals, especially tour operators, to strengthen cooperation with Egyptian counterparts as part of a global strategy mirroring the two states' excellent relations. Egypt-Morocco, Economics, 4/9/2002 - New Chief for Morocco's Largest Private Holding
Bassim Jai Hokimi will be heading Omnium Nord-Africain (ONA), Morocco's largest private holding, in replacement of Mourad Cherif. Morocco, Business, 4/9/2002 - Tennis: Arazi Ousted at First Round of Moroccan Open
Morocco's Hicham Arazi was ousted Tuesday at the first round of the US$381,000 Grand Prix Hassan II at the hands of countryman Karim Alami. Morocco, Sports, 4/9/2002 - King Mohammed holds phone talks with President Arafat Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/8/2002
- Moroccan dailies donate Sunday's receipts to Palestinian intifada Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/8/2002
- Royal wedding: King Mohammed cancels popular festivities Morocco, Local, 4/8/2002
- King Mohammed receives foreign ministers of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone
The three officials of the Mano River Union member countries informed the sovereign on the implementation of the decisions made by their countries' heads of state during the summit they held in Rabat last February 27 at the initiative of King Mohammed VI. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 4/8/2002 - King Mohammed meets Powell in Agadir
During the audience, King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Committee, renewed Morocco's total condemnation of the deliberate Israeli military invasion in the Palestinian territories and adamantly decried the siege imposed on Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and his close aides. Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/8/2002 - Mauritanian president meets U.N Sahara representative
President Mouaouyia Ould Sid Ahmed Taya of Mauritania met Monday with William Lacy Swing, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for the Sahara. Mauritania-Morocco, Politics, 4/8/2002 - Moroccan people calls international community to ensure protection to Palestinian people
The march of solidarity with the Palestinian people held Sunday in Rabat ended up with the release of a communique calling the international community to secure protection to the Palestinian people. Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/8/2002 - Netherlands to set up investment desks in Morocco
The Netherlands decided to create three investment desks to promote commercial relations with Morocco, Dutch minister of foreign trade, Gerrip Ybema, announced on Sunday. Morocco-Netherlands, Economics, 4/8/2002 - Athletics: Morocco's El Moaziz to Defend Title at London Marathon
Morocco's Abdelkader El Moaziz will defend his title at the Flora Marathon of London, due end of this week. Morocco, Sports, 4/8/2002 - U.S.-Morocco council on trade and investment meets in Rabat
The US-Morocco Council on Trade and Investment will meet April 10-11 to study means to upgrade bilateral cooperation. Morocco-USA, Economics, 4/8/2002 - Moroccan carrier activities recovering since February
The Moroccan carrier company (Royal Air Maroc) said its activity has been recovering since last February after the serious crisis entailed by last September's events. Morocco, Business, 4/8/2002